German Central Library for the Blind
The German Central Library for the Blind (GCLB) is the oldest public library for the blind in Germany. The Library provides the blind and visually impaired with literature and other written material in appropriate media formats.
The GCLB took up residence in the premises of the former Israeli High School in 1954. The building which now houses such an immeasurable wealth of Braille literature and audio books, as well as publishing and printing facilities, was the school of Leipzig's Jewish community from 1913 until 1942. The school was inaugurated by its founder, the Rabbi Dr. Ephraim Carlebach on 25th June 1913. The following decades were to prove exceptionally momentous for the institution - a period of history to which a permanent exhibition now pays tribute.
The Braille department of the Library is as old as the establishment itself and is the largest of its kind in Germany.
In addition to the stock of fiction, non-fiction and children's literature, the Library possesses in excess of 5,500 music media, available for loan worldwide.
Musical notation for the blind employs a similar system of six raised dots to that used to denote the letters of the alphabet. Both techniques were devised by Louis Braille (1809-52). The Federal Ministry of Labour and Social Affairs backed project DaCapo is accommodated in the GCLB, the objective of which is the development of an efficient, computerised procedure for the transcription of normal musical notation into Braille.
The GCLB incorporates a small exhibition demonstrating the use and manufacture of Braille music. Guided tours of the facility also offer the opportunity to observe the DaCapo project staff at work.
Internet:
Deutsche Zentralbücherei für Blinde (DZB)
DaCapo-Projekt (Blindennotenschrift)
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Station 10, Gustav-Mahler Haus / Gustav Mahler House |
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Blindenmusikbibliothek / Music Library for the Blind (Music Trek station 11) |
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Station 12, Geburtshaus Hanns Eisler / Hanns Eisler's birth house |
